According to the annual climate action report released late last year, the ACT government has, since 2012/2013 significantly reduced emissions by 17 per cent. The state Government has further pledged to ensure zero emissions within the next four years.

Currently, the Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme (EEIS) initiatives stands at 70,000 households and through the use of high efficiency items like light globes, door seals and standby power controllers; the nation’s capital has recorded a clean 670,000 tonnes of abatement.

The report also highlights a more reliable battery storage initiative that will see installation of more than 36 MW of new generation solar storage batteries in over 5000 Canberra homes and businesses within a period of four years.

“The ACT is an example to the rest of Australia, and the world, of what cities and regions can achieve if they show leadership and ambition,” said Minister for Climate Change Shane Rattenbury.

“But, this is the beginning – not the end – of the ACT’s transformation into an entirely renewable energy powered region.”

Renewable energy isn’t just about slashing emissions in the ACT, it’s also generating 1000s of jobs.

“The renewable energy jobs growth rate here in the ACT is six times higher than any other state and territory and twelve times higher than the national average. At the same time, we have delivered Australia’s lowest ever renewable electricity prices,” stated the Minister.

The ACT’s ever increasing green cap recently featured the state government’s outstanding reverse auctions for large-scale solar and wind power which have greatly caught the attention of forward-looking cities around the globe.

A 200 MW reverse auction of a large scale wind-generating capacity was sealed in March 2016, while that for 200 megawatts of large-scale solar, wind and other listed renewable energy technology was finalised in May.

Still in 2016, the ACT Government implemented its legislation for zero net carbon emissions by 2050 across the Territory.

The Author

Hi, my name is Erin and I am a journalist, content creator and editor working within the Public Relations department at Australian Solar Quotes. I am passionate about the continuously developing renewable energy industry. I am eager to educate others about the benefits and advancements of sustainable living, and I encourage you to join the conversation by leaving a comment below.